Arsenal respond to initial Ajax bid for Aaron Ramsdale - report | OneFootball

Arsenal have rejected a bid from Ajax for goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, according to a report.

Ramsdale, who fell out of favour at the Emirates Stadium last season upon the arrival of David Raya from Brentford, has been linked with a move away in order to regain regular game time.

Eredivisie side Ajax are keen to bring the England international to De Toekomst, but must first convince Arsenal to facilitate a move for Ramsdale. As it stands, Ajax have proposed a loan for the goalkeeper, whereas the Gunners would prefer a permanent transfer, as per The Athletic.

The 2023/24 season marked a tough spell for Ramsdale, who made just 11 appearances across all competitions. His first two seasons at Arsenal were much more fruitful, as the former Bournemouth star played all 38 games of the Gunners' title-chasing season of 2022/23. Those performances earned in him a place in the PFA's Premier League Team of the Year.

Raya has become Arsenal's number one / Angel Martinez/GettyImages

Letting Ramsdale go would be a gamble for Arsenal unless they were to sign a new back-up goalkeeper. Raya is the only first-team goalkeeper currently at the club, with Karl Hein having completed a loan move to newly re-promoted La Liga side Real Valladolid.

Plenty of clubs closer to home could be keen on Ramsdale this summer. Newcastle and Brighton & Hove Albion had previously been linked with the England international, while Chelsea also showed interest before signing Filip Jorgensen from Villarreal.

With Raya in goal, Arsenal will kick off their new campaign at home against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday 17 August. It quickly follows a pair of impressive recent pre-season games at the Emirates Stadium against Bayer Leverkusen and Lyon.